November 21, 2014
Militant groups in Pakistan Declare Allegiance to ISIS
On Monday, a Taliban offshoot named Jundullah announced that it is supporting the efforts of ISIS to establish an Islamic Caliphate. Fahad Marwat, the spokesperson for Jundullah, announced this declaration of support after Jundullah met a three-person ISIS delegation. The ISIS delegation to Jundullah was led by al Zubair al Kuwaiti according to Fahad Marwat. Jundullah broke off from the organization Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which also goes by the name of the Pakistani Taliban. Jundullah along with many other groups are currently working to form an alliance with ISIS has also formed an alliance with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), a prominent anti-Shia militia in Pakistan, after a meeting between representatives of the two groups in Saudi Arabia. A member of LeJ was reported to have said “all anti-Shia groups will welcome and support IS in Pakistan, though most of them will not announce it openly due to their allegiance to Mullah Omar”
Bahraini Prisoners Start Hunger Strike to End Corruption
On November 16th prisoners of al-Hodh al Jaf prison began a hunger strike in protest of the continuous systematic repression aimed at Bahraini women.13 women were arrested last week, including a soon-to-be mother, a mother with her six-month old infant, and a prominent human rights activist. The Bahraini Interior of Ministry alleged that these women were “preparing an anti-regime referendum on the day of legislative elections”, set to take place November 22nd. Two of the 13 women have since been released; however the other 11 remain in custody. Protests are expected to continue until the women are released unconditionally.
Bahraini Authorities Disperse Teargas on Protestors
Peaceful protestors continue to gather in the Bahraini areas of Ecker, Sitra, Samaheej, and Tubli, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the recently arrested 13 women (two of whom have since been released) detained on charges relating to plotting to interrupt the upcoming elections. Human rights activists also confirm the arrest of several men accused of similar charges within the last several weeks. Furthermore, Shiite news confirms that Bahraini authorities inflicted teargas upon the protestors in Ecker. Sources also confirm that protests took place several times last week including on Friday (11-14) in Sitra, as well as in the nearby villages of Abu Saiba, Malkiyra, and Samaheej.
14 Shia killed in a Pair of Car Bombings in Baghdad
14 people were killed and 31 people were wounded on Monday as two car bombs went off in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The first bomb exploded on a commercial street in the Shia district of Meshtal which killed eight people and wounded 15 others. The second bomb detonated in Baghdad’s western Shia district of Amiriya on a commercial street which killed six people and wounded 16 others.
Shia Student and a Driver Killed by a Roadside Bomb in Pakistan
On Tuesday, a young Shia girl and a driver were killed by a roadside bomb near a school in the Kurram tribal region of Pakistan. Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, have been blamed for this bombing and many have seen this as an attempt to target innocent Shia students. In addition to the two people that were killed, there were an additional five students injured and they have to be rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
Shia Activists Imprisoned in Bahrain
On Thursday, a Bahraini court sentenced 3 Shia activists to imprisonment, totaling a stark 30 years. Each activist was sentenced to serve a ten year sentence on what Bahrain authorities deem “terrorist” acts, concentrated on plotting an assault on Bahraini officers back in August.Sources further confirm that protestors again took to the streets on Wednesday demanding the release of the 13 women recently detained (2 of which have since been released). Police responded with teargas and rubber bullets.
Shia Custodian of Jahanian Shrine Killed in Ambush
Khadim Hussain, the custodian of the Jahanian Shrine in Jahanian, Pakistan was killed after being ambushed by militants on Tuesday. Few details have been released about the attack but the militant group Sipah-e-Sahaba has claimed responsibility for the murder. Many in Pakistan are fearful as many militant groups in Pakistan have either joined ISIS or have voiced their support for the organization. This murder has led to calls from many inside the country for those who have perpetrated the crime to be brought to justice.
